Christine Rae Beitzel

Christine Rae Beitzel, 59, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with the Lord Monday, December 22, 2014 in the Cleveland Clinic following a courageous battle with a brief illness and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A daughter of the late Wayne and Rosemary (Burford) Smith, Christine was born February 12, 1955 at Dover, Ohio.

Christine graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1973. Then on September 8, 1973, she married Steven Beitzel and together the couple raised four children, Nathan, Steven Jr., Heather and Kristen.

She was a member of the First Church of the Brethren at New Philadelphia. For more than 10 years, she enjoyed her work at Uncle Primo’s. Christine cherished the time spent with her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling to the ocean and fishing and camping in Michigan with her family. In her spare time she enjoyed flowers, gardening and painting.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Steve; her children, Nathan Beitzel, Steven Beitzel Jr., Heather (Michael) Harper and Kristen all of New Philadelphia; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Braydon; her siblings, Gayle (David) Mack of New Philadelphia, Diane (Dick) West of New Philadelphia and James (Lisa) Smith of Columbus; her mother-in-law, Priscilla Beitzel of New Philadelphia and many nieces and nephews.

Christine was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law, Earl Beitzel and her sister-in-law, Amy Beitzel.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Christine’s life will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Max Canfield officiating. Burial will follow in Dover Burial Park. Following the service a luncheon will be held in the First Church of the Brethren.

Contributions may be made in Christine’s memory to the Friends of the Homeless, 211 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.